Frequently Asked Questions

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What is a microschool?

A microschool is an independent learning institution.

Microschools are the result of rethinking the traditional educational model to better prepare children for the future. They offer students a personalized education and cater to a child’s unique needs and capabilities. Often described as "outsourced homeschooling," they are free from the bureaucracy, standardized tests, and mandatory curriculum that defines today's public school system. Because they are so small, usually between 10-50 students total, children receive far more individualized attention than they would receive in a traditional school.

What grades does Nature's Schoolhouse provide services for?

We currently provide services for students in grades PK-5.

Are the students grouped together by age?

At Nature's Schoolhouse, we embrace a bit of a "one-room schoolhouse" style, where students from PK to 5th grade play and learn together in a dynamic, mixed-age environment. Throughout the day, we do break students up into smaller cohorts, based on age, where students can focus on age-appropriate activities and lessons in smaller groups. This approach fosters a sense of community, encourages peer learning, and allows for individualized attention within our learning space.

What curriculum do you use?

We use a fluid and emergent curriculum that is fundamentally child-centered. Our approach blends the best elements from a variety of educational philosophies, including Waldorf, Reggio Emilia, Forest School, and elements of the traditional school system. This diverse curriculum is designed to nurture each child's unique interests, strengths, and curiosities, fostering a love of learning and personal growth.

Are you affiliated with any religion?

No, we are a secular institution and do not align with any religion. While we are located inside a Methodist Church, our program is designed to be inclusive and respectful of all backgrounds and beliefs. We embrace cultural diversity through thematic units that explore holidays and cultural traditions from around the world. These units offer valuable learning experiences where children discover and appreciate different customs and global celebrations, all while maintaining a secular approach.

Do you go on any field trips?

Yes! In addition to our weekly trip to Twin Lakes Park every Friday, we also go on many field trips throughout the school year! Some examples of field trips we've taken in the past are:

Hill Country Community Ministries Food Pantry
Cedar Park Library
Gary Park
Cordovan Art School
Inner Space Caverns
Sweet Eats Fruit Farm
The Thinkery Children's Museum

Do parents have to be involved in the day-to-day learning?

At our microschool, you'll have more opportunities than ever to be involved in your student's learning experience. We rely on the generous involvement of our community members to fulfill our mission. We are not able to maintain the low student-to-teacher ratio and quality of education offered at our school without involvement from our families. This participation is essential to the growth and development of our school. While we encourage our families to participate as much as they can to build our community, we don't require parent volunteerism. It is up to you to decide the level of involvement you want to have.

Do you offer part-time and full-time options?

We have two programs that we offer: Full-School Replacement and our Fridays in the Park program:

Full-School Replacement is for learners in grades PK-5 and is offered M-Th + Fridays in the Park from 9-3:30pm.
We also offer our "Fridays in the Park" program as a stand-alone offering:
- On select Fridays, from early September through mid May, our entire student body and learners from our local homeschool community meet at Twin Lakes Park and Brushy Creek Trail in Cedar Park, where we immerse our learners in nature studies, forest school, and unstructured free play from 9:00am - 3:30pm.

Are all of your teachers certified?

Though we do have certified teachers on staff, we do not strictly require certification for our teaching staff. We place a high value on experience and a genuine interest in alternative education methods. Our Head teacher is certified, and the rest of our teaching team either has extensive training and experience or they are currently pursuing degrees in education. We believe that passion for teaching and dedication to student growth are paramount, and we're proud of the diverse backgrounds and expertise our educators bring to our community.

How do you handle students with special needs?

We partner with Tree of Life ABA and Including You Therapy to offer in-house ABA, speech, and occupational therapy sessions, as well as educational tracking aides. These services are available at an additional cost to families, with some expenses being covered by insurance.

It is important to note, however, that we are not currently staffed or equipped to provide special services for students with severe learning disabilities, cognitive disabilities, emotional issues, or behavior issues that manifest in violent or angry outbursts. We do not have the resources necessary to help these students reach their full potential.

How do you verify that the education is meeting certain standards?

To verify that our education meets certain standards, we have developed mechanisms to routinely assess and ensure our students are meeting grade-level benchmarks. We call these "oversight assessments," as they seamlessly integrate into daily activities, so students are often unaware they are being evaluated. Additionally, we issue basic progress reports twice a year. While most of our students exceed the typical benchmarks outlined by the TEKS standards, it's important to note that we are not an academically rigorous program. Ultimately, it is the parents' responsibility to ensure their children are progressing at the desired rate.

Does Nature's Schoolhouse participate in statewide standardized testing?

No. Like homeschooling and private schools, we are not required to participate in standardized testing.

How do we make sure we have the right documentation if we decide to transition our kids back to a public school after a year or two?

Much like homeschooling, part of the microschooling process is making sure that you keep records that your children are making sufficient academic progress. This can vary by age-level, but generally it looks like maintaining a portfolio of student work and assessments. You will receive completed work and progress reports during your child's time at Nature's Schoolhouse. We encourage you to keep these records somewhere safe to share with your child's future school, if requested.

The local school district must enroll students who transition from microschools back into their local public school. Private schools may require some type of entrance exam or demonstration of grade-level competency in order to determine grade level placement.

How much does it cost?

Please refer to our Tuition Rates for the most updated information on cost of attendance.